Children’s Literature Association
31st Annual Conference
June 10-12, 2004

The Arne Nixon Center for the Study of Children's Literature at California State University, Fresno, will host the 31st annual conference of the Children’s Literature Association from June 10-12, 2004, on the Fresno State campus. The conference theme is "Dreams and Visions." About 200 people will travel to Fresno from several countries to attend this conference and local people are also invited. Optional university credit will be available. For information about the Children's Literature Association, see its Web site at http://ebbs.english.vt.edu/chla/.index.html

Conference speakers will include Richard Peck, winner of the Newbery medal for A Year Down Yonder; Pam Muñoz Ryan, winner of the Pura Belpré Award for her novel Esperanza Rising; and British author Berlie Doherty, whose novel White Peak Farm will win the 2004 Phoenix award at the conference banquet. This book will soon be republished as Jeannie of White Peak Farm. The Phoenix Award is given twenty years after publication to the author, or estate of the author, of a book for children published originally in English that did not win a major award when it first appeared. This award is intended to recognize books of high literary merit. The conference will offer a discussion of this book by reviewers in the fields of education, English, and library science.

Michael Cart, librarian, writer, lecturer, consultant, critic, and national expert in children's and young adult literature, will deliver the Francelia Butler Plenary Lecture. The invitation to give this lecture is issued annually to a prominent literary critic who specializes in children's literature, and who is connected to the conference theme. The lecture is named in honor of one of the founders of the Children's Literature Association and its annual publication Children's Literature. As most of the people who attend the conference are well-known critics of children's literature, the lecture also honors a critics' critic. Mr. Cart's latest book is Necessary Noise: Stories about Our Families as They Really Are.

Conference plans include a sunset party in a beautiful garden overlooking the vineyards and orchards of the San Joaquin Valley, a presentation on Finnish children's literature in honor of Arne Nixon's heritage, a panel discussion on the Oz books, an exhibition of collector Pamela Harer's Picture Books from Between the Wars, a reception sponsored by ANCA (the Arne Nixon Center Advocates), and many other programs. Full conference and one-day registrations will be offered and banquet tickets will be available separately if space allows.

The conference hotel is the Piccadilly Inn-University, just across the street from the campus. It will be the site of some conference meetings. The hotel will offer a special rate to conference attendees of $84 (includes tax), single or double. For reservations, call 1-800-HOTEL US or (559) 224-4200. Early reservations are strongly advised; If you plan to attend, make reservations now. Space is limited; you can always cancel later. Dormitory rooms are also available.

For speaker panels and times, please see our schedule. http://www.arnenixoncenter.org/chla/schedule_preliminary.doc

For more information, contact the Arne Nixon Center by E-mail at anc@listserv.csufresno.edu or call (559) 278-8116. Updates will be posted here on the Center's Web site.